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Tory MPPs scrap over letting party members debate Hudak leadership

Disagreement over whether Progressive Conservatives should be allowed to debate Tim Hudak’s leadership at September convention triggers public war of words.

At the 2009 convention Tim Hudak is congratulated by Frank Klees, left, and Randy Hiller, right, after winning the Ontario PC Party leadership. Four years later Klees and Hudak say a motion should be presented at the upcoming party convention allowing party members to debate Hudak's leadership. (Tony Bock / Toronto Star file photo)

Controversy over whether Progressive Conservative members should be allowed to debate Tim Hudak’s leadership at next month’s party convention has triggered a war of words among Tory MPPs.

House Leader Jim Wilson blasted two of his caucus colleagues for wanting to permit party activists to table a motion on a leadership review at the Sept. 21-22 conference in London, Ont.

Wilson accused MPPs Frank Klees and Randy Hillier, runners-up to Hudak in the 2009 leadership, of putting their own ambitions ahead of the party’s fortunes.

“They can’t accept the fact that they lost the leadership — one of them lost twice — and just keep running that old film over again,” he said, referring to Klees’ 2004 defeat at the hands of previous leader John Tory.

“If anyone thinks they’re helping the PC Party of Ontario … or helping to defeat the corrupt governing Liberals by calling for a leadership review, then they need to have their heads examined.”

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Asked if the two MPPs should be turfed from caucus, Wilson shook his head.

“I don’t think so, really. They’re good people. They’re just a little misguided on this,” he said, adding “this is just a distraction.”

Since the Aug. 1 byelections — in which the Tories won one seat while the governing Liberals and the New Democrats each took two — Hudak has faced questions about why he didn’t gain more of the five former Grit ridings.

Some activists want to amend the party constitution so a leadership review can be held next month even though he received a 78.7-per-cent endorsement in February 2012.

“It’s a small group. The people I talked to as House leader, the caucus — with the exception of a couple of individuals — everybody is certainly behind Tim,” said Wilson.

Klees (Newmarket-Aurora) and Hillier (Lanark-Frontenac-Lenox and Addington) both emphasized they are not undermining Hudak but promoting the rights of grassroots’ members.

“It’s very poor judgment on the part of the individuals who are now obviously intent on trying to suppress this. Rather than suppress it, deal with it head on,” said Klees.

“Have an overwhelming vote against the resolution on the floor — nothing’s going to give Tim a stronger vote of confidence. Don’t be attacking fellow caucus members who are advocating for the right of party members to be heard on an issue,” he said, expressing “disappointment” in Wilson.

“I ran for the leadership twice in our party. There will not be a third time. I’ve made that very clear, so to continue to ride that pony makes very little sense to me. To intentionally attempt to polarize caucus on this issue is also puzzling to me,” said Klees.

Hillier also said it was unfair to suggest politicking was at play.

“I don’t have any interest in the leadership of the PC Party and I haven’t had since the summer of 2009,” he said, rejecting Wilson’s assertion.

“Jim and I have a very different view of what’s misguided.”

On Monday, Hudak said he opposed a leadership review and warned such machinations would only help Premier Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals.

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